The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word TOADIES
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
T
O
A
D
I
E
S
More clues leading to the result TOADIES
- They crawl over trailer getting into fastenings
- Crawlers two bad drivers regularly ignored
- One needs to cast aside sycophants
- They bring sycophancy to a day in Ancient Rome
- Two bad drivers regularly ignored crawlers
- Pitching ideas to yes men
- Flatterers quit interrupting unending toast
- Crawlers two mad drivers here and there ignored
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "sycophants" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case sycophants = toadies.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does TOADIES mean?
TOADIES noun- A sycophant who flatters others to gain personal advantage or an obsequious lackey or minion
- A coarse, rustic woman.
- (construed with to) To behave like a toady (to someone).